Teachers - Laws & Licensure

The rights and responsibilities of students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders are key components in an equitable educational system. These rights and responsibilities are defined by federal law, Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), and by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).

IDEA - PolicyPresident Bush signed the amended federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law on December 3, 2004. In January 2005, the Oregon Department of Education recommended to the Oregon Legislature statutory changes needed to comply with these 2004 federal amendments to IDEA.

IDEA - PracticeThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal education law that regulates special education. IDEA was reauthorized in December 2004 and most of its provisions went into effect on July 1, 2005.

This web page will help administrators and other interested individuals to remain up-to-date on current events and changes related to IDEA.

Laws (ORS)Oregon laws affecting public schools and community colleges are contained primarily in Chapters 326 through 348 of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS).

Rules (OAR)OARs(Oregon Administrative Rules) adopted by the State Board of Education direct the conduct of the Oregon Department of Education, school districts (private and public), community colleges, parents, students and, in some cases, independent hearings officers.

The “No Child Left Behind” act is the federal law passed by Congress to provide funding for public schools.

State Board of EducationThe State Board of Education sets educational policies and standards for Oregon's 198 public school districts, 17 community college districts and 20 educational service districts.

Teacher Quality - Title II-AThe purpose of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Title II A funding is to provide grants to increase student academic achievement by increasing the number of highly qualified teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators in schools and classrooms.

Additional Links

Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC)The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission is responsible for issuing and renewing teaching licenses in Oregon. This site includes a list of the most frequently asked questions about licensure as well as links to related sites such as National Board Certification, Praxis and CBEST.

CTE Teacher LicensureTo teach in an Oregon state approved CTE program, the instructor must have an appropriate CTE license and/or endorsement, specific to the program career area. The Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) governing CTE teacher licensure have been revised and adopted by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) in 2010. Chapter 584 of the OARs includes those rules specific to TSPC. Division 42 is the section of OARs under TSPC regulation that outlines CTE Licenses and Endorsements.